Speeches

High inflation, high energy prices and the erosion of purchasing power are the current challenges that we must address immediately with concrete measures, with an immediate positive impact on citizens' lives. People must not bear the economic burden of this context and we cannot leave anyone behind. The situation is all the more serious as rising costs have a significant impact primarily on vulnerable groups, low-income families or the elderly who were already facing many difficulties. It is important to use the available funds efficiently, but also to identify those new resources that will allow us to implement the necessary solutions. A first step is to stop the speculation in the energy market, identified by the experts in the field, and to tax those who have made huge profits. The implementation of the European minimum wage, for which our political group and PSD have made significant efforts, can ensure decent wages everywhere in Europe and workers are better paid. At the same time, in view of the European Year of Skills, we must also focus on measures related to qualification and re-skilling, in order to increase workers' chance in the labour market. There's a lot to do, but solutions can't wait. Only together can we overcome these challenges.

The analysis in the Commission’s Action Plan on Intellectual Property highlights the importance of intangible assets such as trademarks, designs, patents and data in today’s knowledge-based economy, especially with regard to job creation, economic growth and the higher remuneration of employees. Creators’ and inventors’ remuneration should be protected from ‘buy-out’ contracts by big platforms, while not blocking innovation. This is why the European Parliament calls for the strengthening of intellectual property rights in a way that contributes to the social and sustainable development of the EU. Better employment, better salaries, more stability and resilience, especially for SMEs seizing on the potential of their intellectual property, represents an important link between intellectual property rights and social policy. We need to create an EU toolbox against piracy and counterfeiting in order to ensure coordinated action between intellectual property rights’ owners, intermediaries and public authorities. The Action Plan on Intellectual Property also needs to ensure proper and equitable access to medicines and medical treatments, including during health crises by resorting to voluntary or mandatory licensing in use of the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement.

The next item is the debate on a Commission statement on 'the situation of the rule of law in Greece, following the Court decision on Predator spyware' (2026/2648(RSP)).

I would like to thank everyone for respecting the Rules and, of course, understanding also the responsibility that each of us has beyond this House.